Travel & Lifestyle

Flight Review: Is Virgin Australia’s award winning coast-to-coast “The Business” Service worthy of its hype?

A lot has been made about Virgin Australia‘s upgraded A330’s, operating from East to West Coast, in particular their “The Business” product, which offers a flat bed on Australia’s longest domestic route. The acclaim has sat on the quality of the seats, the fact that every seat has aisle access, and on the high quality…

Read more

Exploring Downtown L.A.’s extensive underground tunnels is a glimpse into 1920s prohibition

There are millions of interesting little details threaded through the rich, and often controversial, history of Los Angeles, one of the most storied cities in the world thanks to its confluence of just about everything you can think of. It’s one of North America’s most multi-cultural, famed for it’s (mostly) sunny weather and largely distinct…

Read more

A giant Arnott’s Shapes box has popped up in Circular Quay (Sydney)

Arnott’s Shapes are still very much top of the line as far as Aussie snacks go, which should come to no surprise seeing as 230,000 packs of the things are consumed every day across the country (compare that with 100,000 packs of Jatz, and 43,000 packs of Vita-Weat). In a response to the strong-as-ever popularity…

Read more

Hawaiian Airlines to increase services between Brisbane and Honolulu for the Christmas holidays

Australians will have greater access to Hawaii over the Christmas holidays as Hawaiian Airlines increase their non-stop service between Brisbane and Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport to up to four weekly flights from 10th December 2018 to 8th January 2019. The expanded summer schedule will see additional flights departing Brisbane at 10:30pm on Mondays,…

Read more

Japanese dessert chain PAFU opens in Macquarie Centre (Sydney)

We’ve already got Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tarts and Ippudo, so it was only a matter of time before ST Group bought down another very well-known Japanese brand, dipping back into the sweet side with Pafu. Last year the Japanese puff-pastry dessert made a successful debut at QV in Melbourne, so now it’s Sydney’s turn to…

Read more

Aussie musician Fascinator on designing a New York Hotel Room for The Carlton Arms

From Banksy to Robert Lewis and Bruno Tanquerel, over 150 artists have left their mark on New York’s unique museum-meets-hotel, The Carlton Arms, converting rooms into one-of-a-kind art experiences. One of the latest artists to contribute to the project is Australia’s own Johnny Mackay, formerly of Children Collide, who now resides in New York and performs as Fascinator….

Read more

A new partnership between Velocity Frequent Flyer and Westpac could make it easier for new home owners to travel

Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer Points program has this week announces a new partnership with Westpac, aimed at giving new home owners in Australia access to potentially hundreds of thousands of points. The substantial bank of points being offered come with two options, both accessible to Westpac customers who apply for a new home loan…

Read more

W Sydney to open with an infinity pool overlooking Darling Harbour and almost 600 guest rooms

Following the big-ticket launch of W Brisbane, the first luxury property from W Hotels Worldwide as they steadily re-enter the Australian market, the renowned brand have announced a 593-key property for Sydney. The new-build W Sydney will make its debut in 2020 as part of The Ribbon from award-winning architect Hassel, a $700 million development…

Read more

Four of Melbourne’s top bartenders plan to open new venue “Fancy Free” this year

Four bartenders who have been instrumental to the rise of Melbourne’s highly regarded Black Pearl will open a new venue in the CBD later this year. Rob Libecans, Chris Hysted-Adams, Matthew Stirling and Ryan Noreiks will lead the charge at Fancy Free, helping shape the bar as a neighbourhood watering hole in the middle of…

Read more

Review: Johnnie Walker Black Label Sherry Edition tones down the smoke for a smooth finish

Johnnie Walker Black Label has been re-imagined with the iconic whisky’s latest iteration, a limited edition expression which benefits from part of the blend being matured in former Sherry casks. Officially titled the Black Label Sherry Edition, the whisky was recently launched in the Australian market and has since become one of the more buzzed…

Read more

Carriageworks announce winter-themed “Burning Love” night market (Sydney)

The next instalment in the ongoing seasonal night markets from Carriageworks will pay homage to smoked, spiced and slow-cooked food with “Burning Love”. Teaming up with the infallible Porteño duo of Ben Milgate and Elvis Abrahanowicz, the arts and entertainment hub will host 55 of Sydney’s leading restaurants, bars and producers with special menus worked…

Read more

Anna Polyviou’s Sweet Street festival announces sugary line-up (Sydney)

Anna Polyviou, renowned Executive Pastry Chef of Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney will once again be leading charge as she curates the hotel’s 5th annual “Sweet Street” dessert festival at the end of this month. Set for one night only on 29th June, the curated sugar rush will bring in a bunch of the city’s best and…

Read more

Marriott have launched their own online marketplace for activities and local knowledge

In an ambitious attempt to zone in on enriching, local experiences for their guests, Marriott’s considerable network of properties around the world have been tied together by the roll out of an online platform dubbed “Marriott Moments”, seeking to offer local-area expert recommendations, bespoke categories and hand-curated lists of things to do across various destinations….

Read more

Virgin Australia launches inflight Wi-Fi on international flights to the USA

Virgin Australia have introduced reasonably priced inflight WiFi on their international route between Australia and Los Angeles, helping passengers stay connected during the 14 hour trip. The service will cost $12 for the duration of the trip, available for passengers embarking from either Sydney (13.5 hours) or Melbourne (14.5 hours). The recent introduction means that…

Read more

AccorHotels purchase Mantra Group for $1.2 billion

AccorHotels has maintained a strong presence in the Australian market since first opening here with Novotel Sydney in Darling Harbour in 1999. Not only is that presence growing, particularly with the recent opening of five-star hotel – and Instagram star – Sofitel Darling Harbour, but the hotel group’s portfolio has just taken a giant leap…

Read more

Boost Juice are now serving Vegemite smoothies across Australia

“We’re always looking to think outside the square when it comes to product development”, said Chief Marketing Officer of Boost Juice Joanne Bradley. And outside of the square they have most certainly thought this time, with the ubiquitous juice brand introducing new flavour The Vegemite Boost. It obviously contains Australia’s most divisive (to non-Australians anyway;…

Read more

Virgil Abloh to release “Nike x OFF-WHITE Football, Mon Amour” collection in Australia

“Big, bold and full of nuanced visual cues” is how Nike are describing their latest collaboration with Off-White and famed designed Virgil Abloh. The forthcoming collection, which channels Abloh’s perspective on the world’s most popular sport, football. Following a similar collection by Nike and Kim Jones, artistic director of Dior Homme, Abloh’s “Football, Mon Amour”…

Read more

Milk ‘N’ Sugar: Sydney’s epic three day dessert festival returns this weekend

After the successful launch of Milk N Sugar last year, the artisan dessert-only food festival is back this year, once again setting up at Overseas Passenger Terminal for the weekend of 8th to 10th June. As it coincides with Vivid Sydney, last year’s debut was unsurprisingly popular – especially with it’s $2 entry fee –…

Read more

Market City continues to roll out an all-new Asian dining precinct (Sydney)

Earlier this year, Haymarket icon i>Market City unveiled a refinement to their Asian food scene, sweeping things over and moving towards a curated collection of restaurants dubbed 1909 Dining Precinct. Now the popular destination hosts eight deluxe Asian restaurants, in addition to its over food offerings which include long-standing Yum Cha favourite The Eight and…

Read more

Ippudo finally bring their famous ramen to Melbourne

Following much acclaim with outlets across Sydney, world renowned ramen brand Ippudo has finally uncovered their long-awaited Melbourne expansion. Debuting in April at QV, Ippudo has arrived with their signature Japanese options, most importantly highlighting the legacy of famed ramen chef Shigemi Kawahara who many credit with the rise of tonkotsu. Melbourne’s first ever Ippudo…

Read more

Six essential things to do in and around Fingal Bay

Port Stephens is one of the most valuable road trips available to those living in New South Wales. The quintessential Aussie scene of laid-back beaches and copious hiking trials has long been a magnet for both domestic and international tourists looking to soak up the scene outside of a major city. The harbour’s eastern most…

Read more

London Bridge’s high-end The Shard unveils Bar 31

The “created by locals, for locals” Bar 31 has been revealed as the newest edition to the immensely luxurious and eye-catching Shangri-La At The Shard in London. Intentionally located at the base of the towering high-end hotel, the bar is now the closest drinking spot to London Bridge Station and will waste no time in…

Read more

AUxAU Guide to Newcastle: A potent dose of beach, music and history in modern Australia

Continuous golden beaches flow down the coast in either direction into a horizon of shipping barges coming and going. “We are different in that we have this laid-back surf culture that mixes with the working class, pub-rocking theme and somehow at this mix comes unique things. It’s such an amazing city because it’s so dynamic,”…

Read more

AUxAU Guide to Newcastle: Where to Dine & Drink

Continuous golden beaches flow down the coast in either direction into a horizon of shipping barges coming and going. “We are different in that we have this laid-back surf culture that mixes with the working class, pub-rocking theme and somehow at this mix comes unique things. It’s such an amazing city because it’s so dynamic,”…

Read more

The best outdoor activities in Rarotonga, Cook Islands: The inimitable, authentic island paradise

Now more than ever, the Cook Islands are an accessible destination to soothe your cold, stressed-out city-oriented lives thanks to a new direct flight service to Australia. Of the Cook’s 15 islands, Rarotonga is its capital and largest island where we spent a week-long voyage. Enclosed by a continuous sky-blue lagoon full of fish and…

Read more

Tour Diary: Melbourne’s Gamjee take us on the road

With their debut EP Crooked now out and working its way around the traps, Melbourne psych-rockers Gamjee are currently revelling in the results their months and months of hard work have now presented. When “Monday in Bed” came out last year, the band was quick to line up positive reviews but as a live unit, they really…

Read more

AUxAU Guide to Newcastle: The Lucky Hotel puts a trendy spin on history

Located on Hunter Street, The Lucky Hotels’ normal front entrance is engulfed by the city’s ongoing light-rail construction. But whilst staff remarked to us that Hunter Street’s closure to car traffic and constant flow of pedestrians has impacted their day-trade, the venue was a hive of energy for our visit which spoke volumes to their…

Read more

Okanagan Valley’s Sparkling Hill Resort & Spa offers unrivalled comfort, luxury and relaxation

Travel about 30 minutes north of Kelowna International Airport – the hub of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley in Canada – and you’ll hit the outskirts of Vernon, and the hills which overlook the start of the Okanagan Lake. Here you’ll find destinations like the Predator Ridge Resort and Golf Course, plenty of walking trails and…

Read more

When and where to see the Aussies at Primavera Sound 2018 in Barcelona

Primavera Sound and the accompanying Primavera Pro Conference returns to Barcelona this week, and with it will be a slew of Aussies who will join the ranks of the likes of Tame Impala, Gang of Youths, Oh Pep! and more who have performed at the event in recent years. If you are lucky enough to…

Read more

Shannon Noll and Menulog are opening a concept store in Surry Hills this week (Sydney)

Legendary iconic Australian legend-slash-icon and the world’s best singer (if memes are your thing) Shannon Noll has done a Jeff Goldblum and teamed up with Menulog to open a pop-up store in Sydney today. Based on research which shows Aussies spend more than an hour each day preparing meals instead of getting a good night’s…

Read more